BEERX 2023 Programme Schedule

BeerX UK 2023 will feature a packed schedule of expert seminars, panel debates, and expert-led tasting sessions. Full details to be revealed closer to the event.

Stage Sponsors







View the SIBA BEERX 2023 Guide


Fringe Events - Tuesday 14th March 2023

Cains Brewery
IBD Great Northern Section Social & Brewery Tour

The IBD Great Northern Section are inviting SIBA Members, SIBA Associates Members and BeerX attendees to join them at Cains Brewery, Cains Brewery Village, to view the new bar areas and micro brewery set within the historic Cains brewery building and sample some icon Liverpool beers. Food available.

The Head of Steam, Liverpool
Full Circle Brew TTO & MTB

Hosting a tap takeover, tasting session and meet the brewer with the team from Full Circle Brew co.

 

Bundobust
Elusive x Bundobust Showcase

Featuring 5 Elusive beers including the legendary Oregon Trail on cask PLUS new releases from Bundobust's very own brewery. 25% BeerX Badge Holder discount on all food and drinks. Swing by for a Vada Pad and a pint.

Wednesday 15th March 2023

10:00 - 10.30
Reception Open

10:00 - 18:00
Exhibition Open

THE FUTURE OF BREWING STAGE
11:00 - 12:00
Opening of BeerX 2023: With Andy Slee, SIBA Chief Executive
WELCOME

Speakers:
Andy Slee, SIBA Chief Executive

Session description:
In a change to our previously advertised Keynote, Andy Slee SIBA Chief Executive will welcome Delegates and Exhibitors to BeerX 2023, briefly setting out what to expect over the next two days, a preview of the findings of the Craft Beer Report, as well as an overview of his vision for the future of SIBA.

12:00
Bar Opens

Regional bars open.

THE HOP YARD STAGE
12.30 - 13.30
The Spring Budget
LIVE BROADCAST

Session description:
The Spring Budget, setting out the government's tax and spending plans, will be held on 15 March 2023 from around midday and be broadcast live at BeerX UK 2023.

We'll be looking out for upates on Small Producers Relief, the Alcohol Duty Review, Business Rates, Energy and more... So join us to watch the Spring Budget unfold live.

THE FUTURE OF BREWING STAGE
12:45 - 13:30
The cost of inefficiency in craft breweries
SEMINAR

Speakers:
James Collier (Breww). Hosted by Mat Finch (Breww).

Session description:
Are you wasting hours on inefficient tasks, instead of spending time on growing your business? Breww explores the technology solutions to common inefficiencies in breweries, and the benefits that could unlock to have a more successful 2023.

James Collier, Breww
In his role as Breww’s Head of Sales for over three years, James has spoken to hundreds of breweries across the UK. This experience has given him a deep understanding of the challenges that breweries face in their day-to- day operations, and the critical role technology can play in solving them. Outside of Breww, James can be found enjoying a saison at the end of a long bike ride.

THE HOP YARD STAGE
13.45 - 14.30
Hands on with British hops: Interactive Q&A with brewers & Charles Faram
TASTING SESSION

Speakers:
Charles Faram & Selected Brewers. Hosted by Nick Law (Hop Forward).

Session description:
An interactive session from hop experts Charles Faram and a panel of brewers to walk us through how we can utilise Charles Faram brand varieties in both new and existing highly flavoured, bold and modern beer and British lager styles.

British hops are a cost-effective and environmentally favourable move for all UK breweries and this doesn’t come at the expense of high impact flavour and aromas.

This session will give a first-hand point of view of how brewers have come to favour using British hops while tasting the beers, asking the questions and sampling some of the hop varieties from their Hop Development Program.

Nick Law
Nick Law is the Creative Director of Hop Forward: a branding and marketing agency and business consultancy for the brewing industry. He works with a variety of beer businesses both in the UK and overseas and also runs a weekly podcast with a variety of guests from across the world of beer.

THE FUTURE OF BREWING STAGE
13:45 - 14:30
How to write better tasting notes with the British Guild of Beer Writers
SEMINAR

Speakers:
Pete Brown & The British Guild of Beer Writers. Hosted by Mat Finch (Breww).

Session description:
The breadth of beer styles and flavours available to brewers are unlimited and each of your beers are different and unique - but do your tasting notes reflect that?

In this session Directors of the British Guild of Beer Writers talk tasting notes; getting the most out of your style descriptors and creating engaging, evocative flavour notes for your beers.

Pete Brown
Pete Brown is a British author, journalist, broadcaster and consultant specialising in food and drink, especially the fun parts like beer, pubs, cider, bacon rolls and fish and chips. Recently appointed as campaign Director for the Drink Cask Fresh campaign, he also writes for newspapers and magazines around the world and is a regular contributor to radio and podcasts. He was named British Beer Writer of the Year in 2009, 2012, 2016 and 2021.

THE HOP YARD STAGE
14:45 - 15:45
Pushing the bouandaries of beer with Vault City
TASTING SESSION

Speakers:
Steven Smith-Hay (Vault City). Hosted by Charlie Docherty.

Session description:
In this tasting session we will be exploring the World of experimental sour beers including some delicious and unexpected examples of the pastry-sour style.

Whether you're a sour beer lover or ardent sceptic, we guarantee this session will throw up a few surprises that push the boundaries of beer.

Steven Smith-Hay
Co-Founder of Vault City, former homebrewer and Heriott-Watt graduate, Steven has helped build one of the UK’s most celebrated and unique sour-beer breweries. Vault City have made a name for themselves with boundary-pushing beers that deliver a range of flavours few breweries have managed to harness.

Steven and his partner Adele, along with former brewer Jonathan Horn, founded the brewery officially in 2018. But for several years before that, Steven had been brewing on a semi-industrial basis from his own flat, with brew kit in the cellar and beer taps in his kitchen!

THE FUTURE OF BREWING STAGE
14:45 - 15:30
Utilising pub partnerships to forge a route to market for your brewery
SEMINAR

Speakers:
Rich Craig, Big Smoke Brewing Co. Hosted by Mat Finch (Breww).

Session description:
Getting access to market via pubs is a huge issue for all independent breweries, but at the same time pub companies recognise the consumer demand for quality, flavoursome craft beer from local brewers.

For many independent breweries pub-partnerships can be the answer, allowing brewers to get their beers on the bar whilst increasing over profitability for the pub-owning company. This sessions sets out the opportunities and pitfalls that face brewers entering into partnerships with pub companies.

Rich Craig
Rich has spent the past 20 years in hospitality; managing and building pub businesses with a focus on design and brand. His attention to detail and creative vision has formed Big Smoke’s recognisable look and feel both in its pubs and brewing business.

THE FUTURE OF BREWING STAGE
15:45 - 16:30
Trends from the US Beer Market - with the Brewers' Association
SEMINAR

Speakers:
Lotte Peplow (Brewers Association). Hosted by Mat Finch (Breww).

Session description:
In this session Lotte Peplow of the American Brewers Association will look at emerging trends in the US craft beer market and how they compare to the emerging trends highlighted in the SIBA Craft Beer Report.

Tune in for an insight into what is happening the other side of the pond and what trends could be hitting our shores very soon.

Lotte Peplow
Lotte Peplow is the Brewers Association’s American Craft Beer Ambassador for Europe. She has been involved with the Brewers Association’s Export Development Programme from the early days and in 2019 was awarded the Ambassador title. Her role is to identify opportunities for international expansion of American craft beer and to raise awareness about the quality, style diversity and innovation of America’s small and independent craft brewers. Lotte also hosts talks and tastings, manages the Brewers Association’s export activations in Europe, organises events, writes about beer and is on a mission to get more people to enjoy beer more of the time.

Based in London, UK, she’s a Certified Cicerone, Beer Sommelier, beer writer, author, international beer judge and CAMRA London tasting panel member.

THE HOP YARD STAGE
16:00 - 16:45
Producing great-tasting No and low alcohol beers sustainably
SEMINAR

Speakers:
Sam McMeekin (Gipsy Hill). Hosted by Charlie Gorham (Charles Faram).

Session description:
Sam McMeekin of Gipsy Hill has big plans for his brewery in 2023 - expanding their range of low and no alcohol beers whilst improving the sustainaility of the brewery itself. As SIBA looks ahead to improving sustainability across the sector, this session gives a snapshot of how one brewery are tackling the issue head-on, whilst responding to the consumer demand for lower alcohol beers.

Sam McMeekin
Sam McMeekin is co-Founder and CEO of Gipsy Hill Brewery. After spending a few years working with NGOs and microfinance institutions in sub-Sharan Africa, Sam moved back to the UK and fell in love with brewing. He teamed up with his business partner, Charles Shaw and founded Gipsy Hill Brewery in 2014.

He got his GCB from the IBD in 2015, an MBA from London Business School, UK in 2012 and a BA from Stanford University, USA in 2005.

THE FUTURE OF BREWING STAGE
16:45 - 17:45
What's stopping independent breweries joining SIBA?
PANEL

Speakers:
Paul Jones (Cloudwater), Sarah Hardy (North Brewing Co), Fiona MacEachern (Loch Lomond), James Bleakley (Kegstar). Hosted by Charlie Docherty (SIBA).

Session description:
In this panel debate we discuss the barriers which may stop some small breweries from joining SIBA, how others have found a way to get value from the trade association - and how things should change in the future as SIBA seeks to expand its membership to over 1,000 independent craft breweries.

THE HOP YARD STAGE
17.00 - 17.45
Drink Cask Fresh: A cross industry campaign to bring new-blood to the cask sector
SEMINAR

Speakers:
Pete Brown. Hosted by Charlie Gorham (Charles Faram).

Session description:
Drink Cask Fresh is new cross-industry campaign to promote cask beer to new or occasional cask beer drinkers, and in particular younger people who may not have tried cask before.

Focussing on cask beer as a fresh product and bringing in messaging around sustainability, variety of styles and independent brewing, the campaign gives cask a fresh new look and broader appeal.

Pete Brown
Pete Brown is a British author, journalist, broadcaster and consultant specialising in food and drink, especially the fun parts like beer, pubs, cider, bacon rolls and fish and chips. Recently appointed as campaign Director for the Drink Cask Fresh campaign, he also writes for newspapers and magazines around the world and is a regular contributor to radio and podcasts. He was named British Beer Writer of the Year in 2009, 2012, 2016 and 2021.

18:15 - 18:30
Chairman's Reception

Session description:
Lifetime achievments presented by the Chairman

18:30 - 19:15
SIBA Business Awards 2023

Session description:
The SIBA Business Awards seek to congratulate excellence in the brewing industry across a variety of categories, from pump clip, can and bottle design, to efforts taken by brewers to make their business more sustainable, innovative or successful, as well as naming the UK’s best bars, restaurants and retailers of craft beer from independent breweries.

The SIBA Business Awards 2023 also include a new Award for “Empowering People”, seeking to highlight independent craft breweries who go above and beyond for the members of their team; empowering staff to achieve more in their professional career, introducing initiatives and incentives which create a positive working environment, or providing benefits or support mechanisms which encourage a happier healthier life for employees.

Please note the bars will close during the awards but free beer, both draught and packaged, will be available free of charge on the tables. So grab a seat and get ready for the awards!

21:00
Bar Closes

Last orders at 20.45, BeerX UK closes at 21.00

Fringe Events - Wednesday 15th March 2023

Azvex Brewery and taproom Unit 16 King Edward St, Gibraltar Row
From 12.00pm
Azvex Brewery and JasperYeast

Azvex Beer Showcase – 12 beers fermented with Jasper Yeast from Sterling, Virginia paired with the local street food legends Peckish Chicken. Doors open at 12PM. Meet and greet with the yeast lab at 7pm. For tickets for free samplers see Jasper Yeast at stand 87

Grapes Pub on Roscoe St.
7pm
Neptune x Leigh On Sea Tap Takeover

Join local superstars Neptune Brewery and Essex's finest Leigh On Sea Brewery as they showcase their beers at the legendary Grapes pub on Roscoe St.

Meet the brewery folks
6 casks + keg beer delights
Free raffle for brewery prizes
Free entry
From 7pm

Pump House, Albert Dock
From 6.30pm
BFBi Evening at the Pump House

Join us for an evening of networking, food and plenty of beer!

6.30pm onwards (buffet served at 8.15pm).

Entry by wristband - available from Charles Faram; Christeyns; Close Brothers; Kegstar, Murphy & Son; SSV

The Head of Steam, Liverpool
Full Circle Brew TTO & MTB

Hosting a tap takeover, tasting session and meet the brewer with the team from Full Circle Brew co.

 

Dead Crafty Beer Co, 92 Dale Street, Liverpool
From 7 - 9pm
American Beers’ to Yakima Chief American Beer Showcase

Join Yakima Chief Hops at The Dead Crafty Beer Co for a night of American beers from the home of hop country. With free tacos from Taco or Don't, from 7pm - 9pm.

Denbigh Castle, 10 Hackins Hey, Liverpool, L2 2AW
Ossett Brewery / Rat Brewery / SALT Brewery Tap Takeover

Ossett / Rat will be taking over 4 cask lines & SALT will be taking over 4 keg lines at the wonderful Denbigh Castle. Expect some familiar favourites & some new special one off brews.

Bundobust
Elusive x Bundobust Showcase

Featuring 5 Elusive beers including the legendary Oregon Trail on cask PLUS new releases from Bundobust's very own brewery. 25% BeerX Badge Holder discount on all food and drinks. Swing by for a Vada Pad and a pint.

Black Lodge Brewery
From 6pm
SIBA X After Party

Join us on Wednesday the 15th March from 6pm when we will be having a party with @BrewersSelect & @CrosbyHops

Collab beers from @ChapterBrewing, @azvexbrewing, @AmityBrewCo & ourselves.

Head to their stand at SIBA X for a beer and get your wristband.

The Bridewell
Kirkstall Brewery Tap Takeover

Liverpool's CAMRA Pub of the Year 2022/2023 is showcasing three Prize Ales from Kirkstall's Revival Series (including 1885 recipes Mild L and Mild X), as well as fresh kegs of Closed Loop, Virtuous Grapefruit and core range classics. Plus, a raffle, because why not? PINTS MEAN PRIZES!

Thursday 16th March 2023

09:00 - 10:00
Reception Open

09:00 - 18:00
Exhibition Open

10:00 - 12:00
AGM & British Craft Beer Report 2023 Launch

Session description:
The SIBA AGM is a chance for Members to discuss and vote on resolutions, as well as hear updates on the past year and strategic future of the organisation from the Chairman and Chief Executive.

As part of the AGM we will also be launching the SIBA British Craft Beer Report 2023.

12:00
Bar Opens

Regional bars open.

THE HOP YARD STAGE
13:00 - 14:00
How to judge beer: An expert deep-dive into Global wheat beer styles
TASTING SESSION

Speakers:
Tim O'Rourke. Hosted by Charlie Docherty.

Session description:
In this unique tasting session we take a deep-dive into the World of wheat beer, exploring American, Belgian and German examples of this varied and misunderstood style.

This session covers the process of beer judging at SIBA competitions, as well as a tasting of the huge differences between Global wheat beer styles.

Tim O'Rourke
Founder of The Brilliant Beer Company - set up to prvide brewing education, communications and consultancy - Tim has worked in the Brewing Industry for nearly 50 years with over 40 years’ experience of supporting technical education on behalf of the Institute of Brewing and Distilling.

During this time, has has coached over 4000 students in 30 different countries helping them succeed in IBD exams at all levels and go on to develop a successful career in brewing.

THE FUTURE OF BREWING STAGE
13:00 - 14:00
Making the move to sustainability
SEMINAR

Speakers:
George Wade and Ben Richardson, Zevero and Theo and Ben Deya. Hosted by Barry Watts (SIBA).

Session description:
Since 2020 DEYA have put sustainability and reducing its climate impact at the forefront of its business.

In this session we hear from DEYA and Zevero, a decarbonisation platform built to help the brewing industry understand and reduce its carbon emissions. Their clients include the likes of DEYA, Gipsy Hill, Tiny Rebel and Bristol Beer Factory.

George Wade
George is the other co-founder at Zevero after previously working with large companies and universities to build circular business models. His favourite beer is anything cold and hazy after a run.

Ben Richardson
Ben is one of the co-founders at Zevero. Previously, he set up a carbon consultancy before realising technology and software’s value in scaling climate action.

 

Ben Woodliffe
Ben is the sustainability lead at DEYA and helps the company measure, reduce and report its carbon emissions.

THE STEEP STAGE
13:00 - 14:00
Understanding the malt supply chain - from field to glass
SEMINAR

Speakers:
Crisp Malt. Hosted by Colin Johnston (Crisp Malt).

Session description:
Join the Crisp team who will be talking about all things barley. They will be delving into their own supply chain and shining a spotlight on farmers, what it takes to grow world class malting barley, the challenges facing the farming sector and the work that the farms, merchants, and maltsters do to ensure the barley is in the best condition to produce high quality, consistent malt.

Colin Johnston
Colin heads up the Craft Sales and Marketing Team at Crisp. He looks after our craft distilling customers and has spoken at conferences and seminars in the UK and USA on distilling and malting. He loves a technical challenge and is a geek for brewing science.

THE FUTURE OF BREWING STAGE
14.15 - 15.00
How independent breweries of all sizes can cut costs with CO2 recapture technology
SEMINAR

Speakers:
Eddie Gadd (Ramsgate Brewery), Kim Chritian Dalum (Dalum Beverage Equipment). Hosted by Mat Finch (Breww).

Session description:
Small scale technology for the capture, cleaning and liquefaction of fermentation evolved CO2 is now available, but what are the benefits, how does it work and is it effective?

Eddie Gadd talks us through the UK's first CO2 recpature system, now installed at his brewery, and how it can be applied and valuable at breweries of all sizes.

Eddie Gadd
Eddie Gadd started his career as a mining engineer in the 80s before swapping his pick and shovel for a Firkin Brewery dipstick in the early 90s. Founded The Ramsgate Brewery 20 years ago, and still runs it.

Kim Chritian Dalum
Kim Christian Dalum is founder and CEO of Dalum Beverage Equipment, a pioneer in craft scale CO2 recovery for breweries, vintners, distillers, and cider manufactures. Kim is an entrepreneurial leader and engineer who takes pleasure in creating a clear vision and pursuing it to success driven by innovation and a customer centric view. Over the course of 25 years, he has performed outstanding commercial results with distinct global engineering companies in the beer business hereunder in Sander Hansen, Krones, Alfa Laval and Union Engineering (now Pentair and world’s leading industrial CO2 recovery plant manufacturer).

Kim is Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Denmark, MBA, and B.Sc.in Marketing Management from Copenhagen Business School. He lives in Odense, Denmark with his wife Kirsten and is farther of 5 adult children.

THE STEEP STAGE
14:15 - 15:00
Emerging beer and drinks trends we'll see following the Alcohol Duty changes
SEMINAR

Speakers:
Barry Watts (SIBA). Will Lockwood (SIBA). Hosted by Colin Johnston (Crisp Malt)

Session description:
This August the beer sector faces the most radical changes to the alcohol duty system in generations which will have long term implications for the industry. SIBA’s Head of Public Affairs

Barry Watts (SIBA)
Barry Watts is Head of Policy and Public Affairs for the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) which represents the UK’s small and independent breweries.

THE HOP YARD STAGE
14:15 - 15:00
Taking the leap from Homebrewer to professional
SEMINAR

Speakers:
Andy Parker. Hosted by Charlie Gorham (Charles Faram).

Session description:
Taking the leap from homebrewer to opening your own commercial brewery can be as equally exciting as it is daunting.

In this session hee from SIBA member brewers who started out as homebrewers, the steps they took and the pitfalls they can help you avoid.

Andy Parker
Andy is the Homebrew columnist for SIBA's Independent Brewer Magazine, Author of CAMRA’s Essential Home Brewing (2018), and owner of award-winning Berkshire-based Elusive Brewing (established 2016). He started out his career in brewing by winning the 2014 Craft Beer Co National Home Brewing Awards.

THE STEEP STAGE
15:15 - 16:00
Empowering people and growing your business with brewing apprenticeships
SEMINAR

Speakers:
Jeremy Scorer. Hosted by Colin Johnston (Crisp Malt).

Session description:
Brewing apprenticeships are a hugely worthwhile and effective way to grow your team, train up future brewing employees and give back to the industry.

This session sets out the practical steps you can take to recruit a brewin apprentice and the support available to employers through various schemes across the UK.

Jeremy Scorer
Born upstairs in The Happy Man pub in Nottingham, Jeremy has spent his entire life in licensed trade. In 1998, while managing The Anchor Inn, he set up and ran Charnwood Training Group, a specialist training organisation for the Licensed Retail sector.

After 18 years at the helm, Jez sold Charnwood Training Group to a Nottinghamshire college and joined HIT in October 2017. During Jez’s time at HIT, he has been instrumental in building the UK’s first brewer apprenticeship in collaboration with the University of Nottingham’s International Centre for Brewing Science and the Institute of Brewing & Distilling.

THE HOP YARD STAGE
15:15 - 16:15
Yeast and fermentation profile: A comparative tasting of DEYA beers
TASTING SESSION

Speakers:
Gareth Moore (DEYA), Neil Walker (SIBA) Hosted by Charlie Docherty.

Session description:
Often the forgotten hero in the flavour profile of beers, the variety of yeasts used can have a huge impact not only on the flavour and aroma of a beer, but also it's carbonation and mouthfeel.

In this years 'blind' tasting we'll be challenging your palate and asking you to guess the yeast, with a range of hugely expressive strains featured from industry-leading craft brewers DEYA.

Gareth Moore (DEYA)
Head brewer Gareth Moore joined DEYA from Gloucester Brewery in 2016 and his first beers poured in DEYA’s 800ft2 Taproom in May 2016. Steady Rolling Man, DEYA’s flagship beer established itself as the best pale ale in the UK on Untappd shortly after, while DEYA became the highest rated independent brewery on the site.

Neil Walker (SIBA)
Neil Walker is SIBA’s Head of Comms & Marketing and their in-house beer sommelier.

Working as SIBA’s Head of Comms & Marketing Neil leads on all areas of marketing communications in the UK,as well as press for the many regional and national independent beer awards, industry campaigns and events. He joins this session as SIBA”s resident accredited Beer Sommelier.

THE FUTURE OF BREWING STAGE
15:15 - 16:00
Innovations in yeast with Lallemand
SEMINAR

Speakers:
Andrew Paterson, Lallemand UK. Hosted by Mat Finch (Breww).

Session description:
A returning yet ever evolving session, our Innovations in yeast seminar is sure to expand the knowledge of members of your team at all levels.

Lallemand are market leaders in yeast innovation and Andrew will discuss current innovations in yeast, the process of bringing new yeasts to market, as well as how, and where new strains are sourced.

Andrew Paterson
Andrew Paterson, Lallemand UK, Technical Sales Manager UK, Ireland and Scandinavia

Andrew Paterson has been working for Lallemand since the winter of 2018. Prior to joining the company he worked for several years as Head Brewer at Dark Star Brewing Company and at Brewdog brewery in Scotland. His strong practical brewing experience is backed up with a degree in Biochemistry from the University of Edinburgh, and a Masters degree in Brewing and Distilling from Heriot Watt University.

THE FUTURE OF BREWING STAGE
16:15 - 17:15
How can beer retailers support independent beer, make a profit and guarantee quality?
PANEL

Speakers:
Dave Hayward (A Hoppy Place), Annabel Smith (Cask Marque), Linda Birch (Brewery Market) Ian Ward (SIBA). Hosted by Mat Finch (Breww)

Session description:
Balancing consumer demand, rising costs and supporting independent business can be a tall order for beer retailers of all sizes - so how do businesses tackle the issue?

In this panel we hear first hand from beer retailers and industry experts on how to tread the fine line between sticking to your business principles and remaining profitable.

Dave Hayward
Dave Hayward is a beer writer, sommelier and beer judge plus co-owner of A Hoppy Place: A craft beer retailer that has just added Maidenhead as a new site alongside it's original Windsor and online businesses. Established in 2019 after years of planning, A Hoppy Place believes in independent craft beer being accessible to all, and are doing their best to use public platforms, in person events and local partnerships to deliver truly independent beer, brewed ethically, to as many people as possible.

In a world where every untied tap and shelf talker is sacred: Dave believes no compromise should ever be taken on the breweries that craft beer retailers support.

Annabel Smith
Annabel is an ex-publican with a wealth of experience about how pubs, particularly beer-led venues, operate successfully. Her previous roles include training manager at Diageo and Head of Training at The Cask Marque Trust.

She is an award-winning educator and speaker, qualified as one of the first UK Beer Sommeliers, is a British Institute of Innkeeping accredited tutor, and a founder member of Dea Latis - a group formed to change women’s perceptions about beer and encourage more women to consider beer as a drink of choice.

Linda Birch
Linda Birch is the creative founder of Brewery Market, a space dedicated to encouraging people to "drink differently". With a passion for both flavor and ethics, Linda envisioned a welcoming space where people could come together and explore a new world of beer. With a background in corporate financial accounting, Linda brought a unique set of skills and experiences to the table. With her hard-earned savings and determination, Linda opened Brewery Market in 2018, and since then has been working tirelessly to provide customers with an unparalleled experience. In addition to her full-time involvement with the shop, Linda also uses her business acumen to serve as Treasurer for the local Church Street Association in Twickenham.

Ian Ward
Founder & Director of Amber Drinks Consulting, Ian has worked with SIBA as a commercial consultant for a number of years and has more than thirty-five years’ executive experience in Hospitality and Brewing - including previous roles a Marston’s, Molson Coors, and retailer M&S.

THE STEEP STAGE
16:15 - 17:00
How to invest in your marketing when money is tight
SEMINAR

Speakers:
Nick Law (Hop Forward). Hosted by Colin Johnston (Crisp Malt).

Session description:
When economic conditions are tough, marketing spend is usually the first thing to get cut. However, should we really stop investing in our marketing during an economic downturn? In this session, Marketing Consultant, Nick Law, looks why now is a pivotal time to increase your marketing activity and how to do so without breaking the bank account.

Nick Law
Nick Law is the Creative Director of Hop Forward: a branding and marketing agency and business consultancy for the brewing industry. He works with a variety of beer businesses both in the UK and overseas and also runs a weekly podcast with a variety of guests from across the world of beer.

THE HOP YARD STAGE
16:30 - 17:30
Wood, whisky and time: A vertical barrel-aged beer tasting with Brew York
TASTING SESSION

Speakers:
Wayne Smith and Lee Grabham (Brew York). Hosted by Charlie Docherty.

Session description:
Dark beer maestros Brew York take us through an exclusive tasting of barrel-aged imperial stouts, highlighting the effects of different whisky and bourbon barrels barrels on the already hugely flavoured beers.

Expect vanilla, oak, and more than a few surprises in what is set to be a superb tasting session for anyone wanting to expand their knowledge on barrel-ageing, and the nuance and complexity it can bring to beers when handled

Wayne Smith and Lee Grabham
Wayne Smith and Lee Grabham are the founders of Brew York, an independently owned craft brewery born on Walmgate in York in 2016.

The pair met at a friend’s stag do in Hamburg in 2013 and bonded over their shared passion for beer & brewing. Fast-forward to 2015 and they had both stepped away from their day jobs to focus on setting up and building the brewery we now know and love.

Today, Wayne is Managing Director of Brew York and Lee is Production Director, leading the brewing team on their mission to keep on creating new and exciting beers.

One of their proudest achievements to date include when Brew York’s Empress Tonkoko, aged in Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels, was named best wood-aged beer in the World Beer Awards 2019. Another is when Brew York won the SIBA Best Brewery Business award in 2022.

18:00
Exhibition Closes

18:15 - 19:15
SIBA Independent Beer Awards

Session description:
This SIBA Independent Beer Awards 2023 represent the culmination of 12 months’ of regional awards across the UK in cask, keg, bottle & can - with the best-of-the-best moving forwards to fight it out at BeerX UK 2023.

Please note the bars will close during the awards but free beer, both draught and packaged, will be available free of charge on the tables. So grab a seat and get ready for the awards!

21:00
Bar Closes

Last orders at 20.45, BeerX UK closes at 21.00

Fringe Events - Thursday 16th March 2023

Denbigh Castle, 10 Hackins Hey, Liverpool, L2 2AW
Ossett Brewery / Rat Brewery / SALT Brewery Tap Takeover

Ossett / Rat will be taking over 4 cask lines & SALT will be taking over 4 keg lines at the wonderful Denbigh Castle. Expect some familiar favourites & some new special one off brews.

The Head of Steam, Liverpool
Full Circle Brew TTO & MTB

Hosting a tap takeover, tasting session and meet the brewer with the team from Full Circle Brew co.

 

The Dead Crafty Beer Company
Battle of the Taps: North vs South

DCBC are hosting their Battle of the Taps: North vs South once more!
Come on down for the battle of 2023, as North (Leeds) take on Attic (Birmingham).
Each brewery will be entering 6 beers into the battle. As well as a delicious DDH NEIPA collab, Eye Know

Bundobust
Elusive x Bundobust Showcase

Featuring 5 Elusive beers including the legendary Oregon Trail on cask PLUS new releases from Bundobust's very own brewery. 25% BeerX Badge Holder discount on all food and drinks. Swing by for a Vada Pad and a pint.

The Bridewell
Kirkstall Brewery Tap Takeover

Liverpool's CAMRA Pub of the Year 2022/2023 is showcasing three Prize Ales from Kirkstall's Revival Series (including 1885 recipes Mild L and Mild X), as well as fresh kegs of Closed Loop, Virtuous Grapefruit and core range classics. Plus, a raffle, because why not? PINTS MEAN PRIZES!

Fringe Events - Friday 17th March 2023

The Head of Steam, Liverpool
Full Circle Brew TTO & MTB

Hosting a tap takeover, tasting session and meet the brewer with the team from Full Circle Brew co.

 

The Bridewell
Kirkstall Brewery Tap Takeover

Liverpool's CAMRA Pub of the Year 2022/2023 is showcasing three Prize Ales from Kirkstall's Revival Series (including 1885 recipes Mild L and Mild X), as well as fresh kegs of Closed Loop, Virtuous Grapefruit and core range classics. Plus, a raffle, because why not? PINTS MEAN PRIZES!